13 Ways to Stop and Prevent Brain Freeze

When it happens, it's definitely not fun, so let's avoid as much as possible!

Let it Sit

Since Brain Freeze starts after you swallow, you can actually prevent it by holding the cold substance against the roof of your mouth before you swallow. But this technique seems so illogical most people won’t even try it!

When you eat your treat you don’t want to keep it on your tongue and wait for a couple minutes until it melts. You want to eat it and swallow when it gets in your mouth. There’s such a thing as being patient, but when it comes to ice cream you shouldn’t have to be.

Image Credit: Drill

Understand What Causes Brain Freeze

Like we said before, there is a whole scientific explanation for why brain freeze happens. If you want to learn a little bit more about the subject, head here. You know what they say, if you know why something happens you can learn to prevent it. Humans are able to adapt to their environment. Adapt to the Ice Cream!

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Mix Your Frozen Snack with Some Warm Toppings

The best thing in a sundae besides the actual ice cream are the toppings. You can choose anything from fruits to nuts to hot syrups. The best way to prevent the brain freeze is to go the hot syrup route. If you decided to mix the hot and cold you will decrease the risk of brain freeze. By mixing the two you will cancel out the brain freeze. If you have one part cold and one part hot then you’ll have zero parts brain freeze.

Image Credit: Ezra

Take Small Bites or Sips..

...and let them warm on your tongue before they touch the roof of your mouth.Frozen treats come in more than just the semi-solid scoop of ice cream. You can get a frozen slushie. If you eat/drink the treat slowly then your mouth will get accustomed to the chilled food/beverage. Be on the safe side and eat slow, plus you’ll have more time to enjoy your favorite cold snack.

Image Credit: Foodista

Give Up All Frozen Treats (Just Kidding)

The only sure way to prevent ever getting another brain freeze in your entire life is to give up eating the tasty treats you have grown up with. You can try whatever you want to stop the insane headache but it will eventually happen again. We are saying this is the best way to not get an ice cream headache, but we know you won’t listen because we’re not taking our own advice either!

Walk it Off

If you have ever been hurt playing sports, you are usually told to “walk it off.” The old saying means exactly as it sounds, if you're injured take a little walk, let the blood flow to the injured spot and then maybe you’ll be fine in a little while. If you’re an athlete this method is highly recommended.

Rub the Back of Your Neck or Temples

Having a nice massage is always a good way to relieve some stress and tension in your body. If you are in pain the almost automatic response is to rub the spot and make it feel better. Why wouldn’t the same thing apply to an ice cream headache.

Wait it Out!

You know what they say, MAN UP! You don’t need any silly remedies, grit your teeth, sit down, and wait it out.

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Press Your Thumb Against the Roof of Your Mouth

This may not be the most effective way to stop brain freeze, but it’s the one that we use, and it works for us. Each and every person’s body emits heat, and when you place your thumb on the roof of your mouth you are warming your palate.

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Press Your Tongue Against the Roof of the Mouth to Warm the Area

This is the same concept as using your thumb. Your tongue is warm and will increase the temperature of your palate.

Image Credit: WikiCommons

Melt Your Frosty Treat in a Microwave

Melting your frozen treat is an inconceivable concept. It becomes a warm liquid and is not as appetizing. Have you ever tried it? Did you ever think about some ice cream soup? No, well I have and it’s actually pretty good--the sky is the limit. If your frozen treat turns into a warm refreshment you will eliminate all forms of brain freeze. It might be less filling, but try it out.

Image Credit: Zoomy

Drink a Liquid That is Warmer Than the Cold Substance That Caused the Headache

If you're eating a freezing cold scoop of ice cream, gelato, or frozen yogurt, you can calmly stop a brain freeze with a room temperature drink. Most people carry around water bottles with them or have something to drink. Even if the drink is cold, as long as the drink is “warmer” than the frozen treat than the brain freeze will stop.

Image Credit: TeaCouncil

Use Your (Warm) Breath

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a dragon and breath fire? Well if you're one of those fire breathers in a circus this is no dream, except for the dragon part. Actually when you breathe, you are emitting warm air. If you breathe regularly you will be warming the inside of your mouth and helping to eliminate the terrorizing brain freeze.

Image Credit: Thinkstock/iStock

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For some people, eating ice cream isn't like a once-in-a-blue-moon sort of thing. Ice cream eating can be a daily event especially in the summer time. To avoid the headache--literally and figuratively that a brain freeze brings on, try these simple tips. That is, unless you enjoy an icy cool pounding migraine.